By now, everyone has read analysts endlessly debate whether the Seattle Seahawks will defeat the Denver Broncos. Everyone has read how Sunday's Super Bowl will define Peyton Manning's legacy and how if he loses, it could be the latest chapter in a heartbreaking series of playoff letdowns. Or how if Denver loses, it will be their record fifth Super Bowl defeat.
But Seattle has, arguably, a more elaborate history of heartbreaking championship losses. With a loss, Seattle will further establish itself as a snakebitten city with worse luck than any other major sports hub with the possible exception of Atlanta.
Seattle has won just two sports championships in the major professional leagues. The first occurred 97 years ago when the Seattle Metropolitans walloped the Montreal Canadiens 9-1. The Mets defeated Montreal in a best-of-five series in four games. Fortunately for Seattle, the trophy continues to reside in the Emerald City even though the Mets folded in 1924.
The other championship trophy resides in Oklahoma because of the SuperSonics move to Oklahoma City where they became the Thunder. The Sonics won the 1979 NBA Finals against the Washington Bullets in five games out of a possible seven.
The Seattle Sounders, Seattle's MLS franchise, had success recently, winning three consecutive U.S. Open Cups and going to a fourth before losing on a penalty shootout. However, the Sounders have never played in the MLS Cup final.
The Storm, Seattle's WNBA franchise, does alleviate some of the collective heartbreak every other professional franchise has suffered. The Storm has won two WNBA Championships, the first in 2004 and the second in 2010. Unfortunately, women's leagues suffer from minimal interest and minimal money compared to the NFL, NBA, MLS, NHL and MLB. Hopefully things change in the future but until then, leagues like the WNBA won't receive the respect they deserve.
As for the rest of Seattle's professional franchises, here's a list of heartbreaking moments separated by team:
- Seahawks
- Lost against Los Angeles Raiders in 1983 AFC Championship.
- Brian Bosworth famously steamrolled by Bo Jackson.
- New York Jets' QB Vinny Testaverde's "Phantom Touchdown." Led to 32-31 loss in 1998.
- Lost at Green Bay during 2003 playoffs. Matt Hasselback's famous comment, "We want the ball, and we're going to score," before throwing game-ending interception.
- Lost to Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XL. Major problems in officiating.
- Mariners
- Lost in the ALCS to Cleveland.
- Won 116 games in 2001. Lost to the Yankees in the ALCS.
- Pilots
- Existed in Seattle in 1969 before moving to Milwaukee and becoming the Brewers in 1970.
- SuperSonics
- Lost 1978 NBA Finals to Washington Bullets.
- Won 64 games in 1995. Encountered 72-win, Michael Jordan-led Bulls in NBA Finals. Star Sean Kemp traded away the next season.
- Metropolitans
- No decision in 1918 Stanley Cup.
- Lost 1919 Stanley Cup.
- Folded in 1924.
As a result, a loss on Sunday will be the final punctuation mark on the latest heartbreaking chapter in Seattle sports history. So, between Denver and Seattle, if either team needs to win a Super Bowl more, it's Seattle.
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